Caregiver knowledge and Attitudes toward Human Papillomavirus Vaccination among adolescent girls living with HIV in Sierra Leone: A health facility-based cross-sectional study

@misc{jiba2026caregiver,
  title = {{Caregiver knowledge and Attitudes toward Human Papillomavirus Vaccination among adolescent girls living with HIV in Sierra Leone: A health facility-based cross-sectional study}},
  author = {D. F. Jiba and M. Baldeh and P. Turay and S. Kanu and M. N. Kamara and L. M. L. Farma-Grant and U. Barrie and W. O. Awonuga and M. M. Baio and D. Sesay and D. Shehab and R. Sinnah and E. S. Namanga and P. M. D. Johnson and S. Lakoh and J. A. Dykens},
  howpublished = {medRxiv},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.64898/2026.09.21.26363609},
  url = {https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.21.26363609v1},
  note = {CC BY},
}

TY  - UNPB
TI  - Caregiver knowledge and Attitudes toward Human Papillomavirus Vaccination among adolescent girls living with HIV in Sierra Leone: A health facility-based cross-sectional study
AU  - D. F. Jiba
AU  - M. Baldeh
AU  - P. Turay
AU  - S. Kanu
AU  - M. N. Kamara
AU  - L. M. L. Farma-Grant
AU  - U. Barrie
AU  - W. O. Awonuga
AU  - M. M. Baio
AU  - D. Sesay
AU  - D. Shehab
AU  - R. Sinnah
AU  - E. S. Namanga
AU  - P. M. D. Johnson
AU  - S. Lakoh
AU  - J. A. Dykens
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/21
PB  - medRxiv
DO  - 10.64898/2026.09.21.26363609
UR  - https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.21.26363609v1
AB  - ObjectiveTo assess the knowledge, willingness and barriers to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among caregivers of adolescent girls living with HIV in Sierra Leone.  MethodsThis cross-sectional study examined HPV vaccine knowledge, willingness, and barriers among 249 caregivers of adolescent girls living with HIV in Sierra Leone. Data were collected through structured questionnaires at public tertiary hospitals and high-volume HIV clinics, and associations were assessed using chi-square tests, logistic regression, and Kruskal-Wallis analyses.  ResultsOnly 32.1% (80/249) of caregivers had heard of HPV, with even fewer aware of its link to cervical cancer (24.4%, 60/246) or prevention methods of cervical cancer (31.9%, 79/248). Misconceptions were prevalent; 16.3% (36/221) erroneously linked oral contraceptives to cervical cancer, and 61.1% (44/72) of caregivers unwilling to vaccinate cited distrust in vaccine efficacy. While tertiary-educated caregivers exhibited the highest level of knowledge (45.5%, p < 0.001), their willingness to vaccinate (50%, 33/66) was comparable to that of less-educated groups, highlighting a knowledge-action gap. Structural barriers dominated, with 66.1% (154/233) citing unawareness of the vaccine and 10.3% (24/233) missing school-based vaccination days. Relationship dynamics significantly influenced willingness: extended family members showed the highest willingness (69.4%, p = 0.029), whereas grandparents were least willing (31%, 9/29). Although systemic gaps such as disrupted vaccination services, vaccine supplies and cold chain limited uptake, healthcare workers emerged as the most effective information source (rank sum = 889.5, p = 0.039).  ConclusionThe study highlights the need for culturally tailored education to dispel myths and community-driven strategies engaging trusted actors like healthcare workers and extended families. This study justifies the need for integration of HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening into HIV care services.
ER  -